The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Wednesday that it is revising a rule that aims to make it easier to share records related to the treatment for drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, HIV and sickle cell anemia with the Department of Defense (DoD).

Officials said this update to the regulation removes the restrictive VA provision and enhances VA's collaboration with DoD so Veterans can receive better and more timely treatment, services and benefits.

"VA and DoD clinicians must have the most accurate and comprehensive data available to ensure they provide the highest quality care possible," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We have discovered that, particularly in this age of electronic health records, this regulatory restriction created an impediment to maximizing this exchange of information."

The revised rule will allow the VA to better participate in interoperability initiatives with DoD, such the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record initiative. It will also help prevent allergic reactions from known drug allergies and negative interactions of a new drug with one previously prescribed as well as ensuring that patients will not unnecessarily undergo medical procedures that were already performed elsewhere.

The interim final rule can be found here. Comments on the rule should be sent to the VA on or before Dec. 19, 2011.